
‘Green’ plane takes off in Christchurch
New Zealand’s first passenger battery electric aircraft has taken flight from Christchurch.
Christchurch-based ElectricAir has brought the aircraft to the city to highlight zero exhaust-emission technology.
Launched at Christchurch International Airport on Friday, the plane will be used for trial flights, training and will be available for hire to qualified pilots.
The Pipistrel Alpha Electro can fly for an hour, plus half an hour reserve, which is the ideal duration for training flights.
Operators can recharge the aircraft, which will operate from both Christchurch and Rangiora, in under an hour, using a dedicated charger at Christchurch International Airport.
Along with the low-cost maintenance, the aircraft is about 70 per cent quieter than normal aircraft.
The project has been supported by a $40,000 grant from the Christchurch City Council Innovation and Sustainability Fund and a $19,000 grant from the Christchurch Agency for Energy Trust.


Poll: Are domestic flights with Air NZ out of your budget?
A Tauranga man has filed a complaint with the Commerce Commission, claiming that due to dynamic pricing, it’s cheaper for him to fly to Los Angeles than to book a flight for his daughter from Tauranga to Wellington.
Do you think their pricing needs addressed to encourage more people to fly?

-
94.8% Yes, it's too expensive
-
4.7% No, it's reasonable
-
0.5% Other - I'll share below

Workshop friendship blooms through ANZAC poppy project
Rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into a ANZAC woodwork project has been the perfect way to forge a friendship, say Patrick Hogan Village residents Roger and Tony.
“We’ve made eight soldiers and 20 poppies plus the smaller poppies that go on the soldiers’ chests which we will place around the gardens and outside the resident lounge here,” Roger says, agreeing that they will make a perfect backdrop for the village’s planned remembrance morning tea.
Click read more for the full story.


Poll: If you could rewind time, would you choose a different career?
It might not be too late for you, but some people look back and wish they had taken a different career path.
If you could go back in time, would you choose something different? Let us know what you would have chosen in the comments below.

-
59.7% Yes
-
39.7% No
-
0.6% Other - I'll share below